Hyperbola-1 | Jilin-1 Mofang-01A(R)

What’s All This Mean?

The private Chinese company i-Space will be attempting to launch another of their Hyperbola-1 rockets. Three previous launch attempts have all resulted in failure of the launch vehicle and thus, loss of the payloads. The all solid-fueled rocket will try to boost it’s payload, suspected to be the the Jilin-1 satellite, to a Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) to join the other satellites in the constellation. See one of their recent launch failures here: i-Space | Hyperbola-1.

What Is The Jilin-1 Mofang-01A(R)?

As is typical with most launches out of China, information is difficult to gather. The Jilin-1 satellite is an Earth observation satellite that will contribute to a constellation of similar satellites. This will be the first satellite in the constellation to reach orbit, if it succeeds. Each satellite is owned by Chang Guang Satellite Technology Co and have a launch mass of 18 kg (40 lb).

What is the Hyperbola-1 rocket?

Hyperbola-1 (SQX-1) is i-Space’s first orbital class rocket consisting of three stages with a fourth stage for orbital attitude control. An aspect of Hyperbola 1, not seen on most orbital class rockets, is the use of solid rocket motors for all three stages. This means that there is no way to shut down any of the stages once they are lit.

Some sources have claimed that the first orbital Hyperbola-1 rocket was different than the second. The first Hyperbola-1 launch vehicle consisted of parts and design methods partially based off of CASC technology. i-Space then decided to move away from the CASC to become more independent. Sources state that almost the entire rocket was changed except for the control systems such as the grid fins on the bottom of the first stage and the Reaction Control System (RCS). Flight 1 also included a liquid fuel powered fourth stage (CASC technology, because i-Space does not yet have an operational liquid fueled first stage) accompanied by three other solid stages. Flight two included all solid stages as previously described.

The first version of the Hyperbola 1 rocket measured a total of 20.8 meters (68 ft) while the V2.0 totals 24 meters (78 ft). However, the payload users guide provided by i-Space lists the height at “about 21 meters.” Hyperbola 1 has the capability to lift up to 280 kg (620 lbs) into a 300 km (186 mile) Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

Future Rockets

Already in development, Hyperbola 2 is slated to have a reusable first stage. The JD-1 engine in development completed a 500 second hot fire and gimbal test in November of 2020.